Content:

1. One Nation One Election and representative democracy
2. Dangerous skies

One Nation One Election and representative democracy

Context : One Nation, One Election aims to streamline elections by synchronizing the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to reduce administrative burdens.

Relevance : GS 2(Polity )

Practice Question : Discuss the implications of One Nation, One Election on the efficiency of governance and its potential impact on democratic representation.(250 Words)

• Synchronisation of Elections: Aligns elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

• Fixed Tenure: Fixes the tenure of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

• Mid-Term Elections: If dissolved early, mid-term elections cover the remainder of the original tenure.

• Amendments: Articles 83, 172, and 327 are amended, effective post–2029 general elections, initiating simultaneous elections in 2034.

• Union Territories: The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aligns the tenure of Union Territories’ legislative Assemblies with the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Administrative Efficiency and Election Fatigue

• Efficiency: Aims to reduce administrative burden and election fatigue.

• Critical Questions: Raises concerns about inclusivity and the representative nature of the process.

Understanding Representative Democracy

• Definition: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

• Principles: Free and fair elections, political accountability, protection of individual rights, balancing majority rule with minority interests.

• Challenges: Growing disillusionment with the system, as revealed by a 2024 Pew Research Center study across 24 nations.

Jayaprakash Narayan’s Critique

• Critique: In “A Plea for Reconstruction of Indian Polity” (1959), JP critiqued parliamentary democracy.

• Defects Highlighted:
  • Minority Governments: Risks of unstable and unrepresentative governments.
  • Demagoguery and Populism: Manipulation of public opinion by political parties.
  • Centralisation of Power: Concentration of power in the state.
  • Financial Costs: High cost of elections tethering democracy to moneyed interests.

Pre-Legislative Consultation Process

• Policy: The Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy, 2014, mandates a minimum 30-day period for public feedback.

• Shortcomings:
  • Inadequate Consultation: Only 10 days given for public response.
  • Lack of Explanatory Material: No explanatory notes or background papers provided.
  • Framing of Questions: Perfunctory approach seeking ‘yes/no’ responses.

Implications for Representative Democracy

• Centralisation vs. Federalism: Risks centralising power, overshadowing state-specific issues.
• Inclusivity and Participation: Curtailing consultation weakens democratic inclusivity.
• Electoral Accountability: Simultaneous elections could dilute accountability.

Conclusion

• Democratic Principles: India’s democracy thrives on citizen participation, inclusivity, and accountability.
• Reform Process: Must be inclusive and representative to maintain trust and avoid centralisation.

Dangerous Skies

Context : The Azerbaijan airliner crash illustrates the risks posed to civilian aviation by modern warfare technologies, like drones and air defense systems.

Relevance : GS 3( Disaster Management, Internal Security)

Practice Question : Analyze how modern warfare technologies like drones affect the safety of civilian aviation, with reference to the recent Azerbaijan airliner crash.(250 Words)

Crash Incident Overview:

• An Azerbaijani airliner, Embraer 190, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people.

• The flight, from Baku to Grozny (Russia), was diverted and attempted an emergency landing.

• Initial reports suggested a bird strike, but later investigations pointed to a Russian anti–drone attack as the cause.

• The attack likely led to depressurization, as evidenced by holes in the plane and oxygen masks deploying.

• The aircraft continued flying despite damage, crossing 300 miles over the Caspian Sea before crashing.

Details of the Attack:

• The missile strike or anti-drone response from Russian air defense systems might have been triggered by a Ukrainian drone attack.

• Control system damage is suspected, causing erratic flight paths.

• Despite the damage, the plane was reportedly denied landing rights at nearby airports, a violation of norms that would typically allow emergency landings for damaged civilian aircraft.

• The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) have been recovered and will aid in the investigation.

Investigation and Multi-Stakeholder Involvement:

• Azerbaijan, the country of origin, holds sovereignty over the flight.

• Brazilian manufacturer Embraer will also be involved in the investigation.

• U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have blamed Russian air defense systems for the attack, potentially in response to Ukrainian drone operations.

• Russian President Putin issued a half-hearted apology but stopped short of admitting Russian involvement in the attack.

Context of Modern Warfare:

• The incident highlights the dangers of the evolving nature of warfare, where drones and micro-drones play a significant role as low-cost weapons.

• These weapons can target and cause damage deep inside enemy territory, affecting civilian and military infrastructure alike.

• The attack, nearly 500 miles from the Ukrainian border, underscores the expanded reach of modern warfare tactics.

Implications for Aviation Safety:

• The incident underscores the growing risk for civilian airlines operating in conflict zones, especially near regions affected by drone warfare.

• Airlines must assess the safety of flying through or near such conflict zones to avoid similar tragedies.

• The crash raises concerns about the adequacy of air defense systems and civilian airspace protection in conflict zones.

Political and Military Context:

• The crash is indicative of the broader risks associated with the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, where non-combatant nations and civilian aircraft may be caught in the crossfire.

• The need for de-escalation is urgent, with the success of any peace efforts dependent on Moscow’s willingness to end its invasion of Ukraine and reach an agreement on NATO’s expansion.

• Failure to de-escalate could result in more civilian casualties and the potential for regional actors to become further involved in the conflict.

Broader Impact on Global Airlines:

• Airlines operating in or near conflict zones must be cautious of the heightened risks associated with military activities, including drone warfare and anti-aircraft defense systems.

• The crash highlights the need for international cooperation and coordination to ensure safe airspace management in conflict zones.

• A failure to address the risks could lead to more airline accidents, further disrupting global air travel and tourism.

Conclusion:

• The Azerbaijan airliner crash is a tragic reminder of the broader consequences of modern warfare, where civilian airliners can become unintended victims of military actions.